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James attended high school in Niagara Falls, New York, where he played football and ran track. In football, he ran for 1,048 yards and threw for over 600 yards for the Wolverines of Niagara Falls High School while earning All-Western New York honors in his senior season. He served as a captain for three years. In track & field, Starks was one of the states top performers in the long jump (PR of 7.00 meters), and also recorded a 11.14 100-meter dash time.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Starks' only scholarship offer came from Buffalo, which he accepted.

Starks enjoyed a standout career at Buffalo. He set a career rushing record with 3,140 yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns. He registered back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons as a sophomore and junior. He was one of the elite backs in the MAC and the nation and became the first 1,000-yard rusher in the Bulls’ Division I-A era. He also became the first UB freshman to earn All-MAC honors in 2006. He was named to the All-Mac Second Team as a freshman and sophomore, and was named to the All-Mac First Team as a junior. Starks did not play in his senior season due to a shoulder injury.[1] He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Starks was drafted by the Packers in the sixth round—193rd overall—in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was injured during training camp and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. After being activated off the PUP list on November 10, he made his NFL debut on December 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, with 18 carries for 73 yards. On January 9 in the 2011 Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Starks broke the Packers' rookie post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. His first touchdown came against the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game. Starks's rookie season finished with a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in which he rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries.[2]

On the weekend before the Super Bowl, the Niagara Falls—in his hometown of Niagara Falls, New York—were lit green and gold in his honor. The following Monday, Starks later met with Niagara Falls mayor Paul Dyster.